Cricket's World

9 is fine....

2010-01-09T22:38:00.003-05:00

Really, Really cold day.....record setting cold. Could have cuddled in all day and ate comfort food...but I didn't.

Breakfast: Omelet w/ a little cheese, onion, peppers and a little ham. 2 slices rye toast w/ a lil bit of strawberry jam. Green hot tea and water.

Lunch: 2 lettuce wraps and a cup and maybe a half of beef w/ broccoli. Water and tea.

Dinner: Bowl of chicken noodle soup./ water

Snack: Piece of dark chocolate (small), a hot coco 80z. and 3 bites of Paul's cinnamon roll.

Oh and last night I had some organic chips. after i posted.

Computer out of battery, so that's all folks.

Crazy 8th Day....

2010-01-08T18:40:00.002-05:00

Not too crazy actually. Crazy weather though....Brrr.. rainy now just in time for my run or walk, and getting colder by the minute. I know tuff it up and go...but you know, I'm getting older and I don't want to live that way anymore. Seems like everything I do is a "have to do it" so I am now living with a little less of that. Hey I'm forty....a new me, a more mature me, a more in tune with me:-) Today was a run errand day mostly- Hayden had doctor appointment this morning then I worked in office , ran errands for Aubrey, made homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and did laundry.....
Breakfast: 2 slices Ezekiel toast and a banana, 4 oz. grapefruit juice. Water................
Lunch: Ezekiel english muffin, scrambled egg and a slice of swiss cheese. Hand full of blueberries.Water........
Dinner: 2 cups Chicken Noodle soup, grilled (small) mozarella on whole grain thing with tomato and fresh basil., water...............
Snack: 4 carrot sticks, 1 small piece of dark chocolate.

Hangin Out and Hangin In There! Day 7

2010-01-07T21:09:00.002-05:00

Did not want to get out of bed this morning...my vacation time from school is running out. So after I got Aubrey off and packed lunches I laid back down. So cozy, I love these cold mornings.

Breakfast: 1 pot. pancake (leftovers from last night) and oatmeal, w/ banana and strawberries and a dab of strawberry yogurt. 4 oz. Fresh OJ.

Cleaned Hayden's room....bored, wanted to get out of house...lunch with mom & Ericka at Panera.

Lunch: Tuna on whole grain, Onion soup (no croutons) Unsweet Tea, whole grain roll ( I know...too much bread) and I added butter....

Then sat at mom's and had a nice chit chat w/ my sis and mom! Nice day:-)

Dinner was not until 8:00 because I was on phone with Shawn helping her get her get her airline ticket. She'll be here February 8th! So we had gift card for Bonefish...why else would we go to that over priced place...sorry but it is. We ordered take-out.

Dinner: California Cobb salad. (Romaine, grilled chicken, mangos, pine nuts, tomato)

Now helping Aubrey (well proof reading her essay to PBA) she's gotta make a decision....

and sitting cozily with my warm fuzzy blanket...

Oh I fit in a 1/2 hour walk before dinner. Better than nothin!

It's Complicated:-) NOT!

2010-01-06T22:20:00.002-05:00

What an awesome day. Began with an hour+ walk at 8:30 once the kids were off to school. It was cold, in the 30's????? It felt good though. Then spent the day with my mom filling out app. for her possible new housing. Then did some running around w/ Ericka and mom. Had mom over for dinner and then off to the movie, It's Complicated. Paul and I had already seen it, but I loved it and knew my momma would too....she did. Hayden and Aubs joined us and Paul worked at home on some new oil business. (My J.R.-he he) Great day, great meals, great movie, greatest family!!! Who could ask for more?

Breakfast: 1 slice canadian bacon, 1 egg scrambled, oatmeal, dab of yogurt, fresh strawberries, and blueberries. 4 oz. Fresh squeezed Grapefruit Juice.

Lunch: Panera w/ mom...Vegetable soup, Asian Sesame Chicken salad, small multigrain roll, and some of my mom's chips. Unsweet tea.

Dinner: Organic baked chicken (1/2 of a breast), organic green beans, a dab of rice, organic mashed potatoes.

Snack: A Peanut butter cookie flavored Lara Bar.

Lots of water....

One of those days......

2010-01-05T22:03:00.002-05:00

Ever had one of those days where you don't accomplish much but were busy all day? That was today...So it was a huge success as far as my "change" of diet/ exercise is concerned. But hey, it wasn't a total loss.

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, 6 small pieces of Kabasa and 1 slice ezekiel toast. 4 oz fresh OJ

Lunch: Moe's....Paul:-) Okay I could have said no. A small Joey Junior w/ black beans, chicken, cheese, (NO sour cream) cilantro, lettuce, salsa...and um yes the chips and salsa. Iced tea, unsweet.

Dinner: Outback- 6oz. sirloin, baby lobster tails, salad w/ vinegarette and veggies.

Water all day...

No snacks:-(

No walk/ run/ gym...don't ask- nothing went as planned and did I mention it's 30 degrees. Brrrr.

Better Job tomorrow, I promise myself.

4 in a row...going strong!

2010-01-04T20:19:00.002-05:00

Up at 5:50 a.m.- packed lunches, folded a load of laundry, emptied dishwasher wished Aubrey well as she left for school. Vacation is over...it's a sad thing, it's been so cold here that I have to admit I was getting used to sleeping in a bit and cuddling up and watching movies. Christmas Holiday was definitely a well needed and appreciated rest. Today started off productive, and ended that way! It has been a good day. After making Hayden breakfast and seeing him off, I got busy in the office. Paul and I rearranged it, cleaned it, went through everything and threw out 3 garbage bags full. I balanced the check book (and trust me that takes awhile, I've let it go lately) then we cleaned up the garage and managed to get all the Christmas stuff to storage. Now I'm relaxing, and hoping to watch a good movie. No such luck, I've channel surfed and out of all my 500 channels I can't find one interesting thing. Ha! I remember the days when I was young and had 4 channels. I could always find something then. What's going on? Is my mind just so over stimulated by this modern world that I can't adjust. Or, is it that TV is really lousey most of the time? I think that's what it is. So anyway I'll get to it...keep me honest...what have I put in my mouth today?

Breakfast: 1 egg scrambled, oatmeal with a little dab of yogurt, fresh blueberries and strawberries. 4 oz. fresh OJ.

Lunch: Bowl of my homemade minestrone and an ezekiel turkey sandwich with fresh basil and tomato.

Dinner: small bowl of my homemade minestrone, 4-5 oz. grilled sirloin steak, and a small caesar salad with tomato and cucumber.

Snack: handfull of blueberries...

LOTS Of water...like always.

Well another good day...was planning to got to gym for strength training but didn't get there. It's okay though I was busy all day and there is tomorrow.

Day 3 ...No problem!

2010-01-03T22:26:00.002-05:00

Today just flew by...but also seemed very productive. Church was awesome, helped a friend move, helped take down decorations at church, made homemade "Carraba's Minestrone soup" and relaxed this evening wityh my 3 favorite people. (Aubrey, Hayden and Paul). I never really even craved sugar????? Am I back or what?

Breakfast: 2 slices Ezekiel Toast w/ fresh ground peanut butter. 1/2 of a banana and water.

Lunch: California Rolls and water

Dinner: Hamburger (no bun) onion, lettuce, tomato, small salad with Balsamic dressing.

Snack: small organic apple, 4 Kashi crackers, Green tea, and lot's of water... or 5 dark choc. yogurt covered prunes. (small)- oh I nibbled on some soup (1/4 cup) (It will be ready tomorrow)

The kids go back to school tomorrow and it is my last week of SCF vacation. I plan to accomplish a lot of tasks in the office and get everything pending done. I'm gonna appreciate my brain time off for one more week.

Night Night...Brrr it's really cold out, feels good!

Day 2 -

2010-01-02T21:37:00.002-05:00

Breakfast: oatmeal, strawberries/ blueberries and 2 strips bacon/ 4 oz grapefruit juice

Lunch: 1- 2 cups Turkey Noodle Soup and half of a cornedbeef sandwich

Dinner: Small blackbean and chicken w/ cilantro, lettuce and salsa burrito...( I was craving Mexican...so I did pretty good.)

Snack: Apple, Tangerine

Lots of water (like always)

1 hour walk with the dogs

1/2 hour walk downtown

Active all day

So it's been a pretty good day- busy, and not too many cravings. Feel good- Very cold......Brrr- saw the most beautiful moon tonight. It was huge and orange!

Not much in the mood to write tonight, but want to stay faithful to my posting.

So far So Good....:-)

It's a New Year, It's a New Day, It's a New Me!

2010-01-01T12:05:00.004-05:00

Happy 2010- so it started yesterday, I figured why not end on a right note as well. No sugar and an hour walk for 12-31-09...I have done it before and it felt great. I remember telling people that I felt like I was 18 again, so why then did I revert to my old ways? That is the question I am planning to answer and resolve this year. I still haven't drank a soda in over 5 or maybe 6 years ago, and I haven't missed it at all. So anyway my goal for 2010 is to conquer this sugar addiction and eat healthy and exercise daily. I can do it, I will do it.

So for breakfast today I had:

(My usual): Oatmeal with a spoonful of strawberry yogurt (sugar free), fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries and 2 eggs scrambled. 4 oz. of fresh squeezed OJ and 16 oz. of water...

Lunch: 1 lettuce wrap and brown rice beef and broccoli/ water

Dinner: 2 eggs/ 2 strips bacon/ 2 slice ezekiel bread/ water

snack: apple/ nuts

Walked 31/2 miles ran 1 mile

Back to School.....

2009-09-03T09:05:00.003-04:00

Paul & me on our 1st day back to school-...hopefully I'll be thinner in my graduation picture! LOL

Aubrey & Hayden on 1st day...

So we ALL started back to school on 8-24-09... It has so far been good, but definatley a life style change. Keep us in your prayers as you all are always in ours. God has amazing plans, I just wish I knew all the details...LOL.

These are not my words- but I have learned from this story!

2009-07-09T12:50:00.003-04:00

By: Mac Anderson founder of "Simple Truths"

I first met Charlie Cullen during my sophomore year in college. Charlie had been ranked by his peers as the top speaker in the country, and he had addressed the leaders of many Fortune 500 companies. But on this day, as a favor to his nephew, he interrupted his schedule to speak to a small group of students at the Holiday Inn. For almost an hour, I sat there in awe as he spoke passionately about the keys to success. He talked about courage, humility, perseverance, and believing in your dreams. And he ended with a story I never forgot.
He said that he was in the Oklahoma City airport when he saw a woman walking along with three little girls. They were skipping and singing, "Daddy's coming home on a big jet! Daddy's coming home on a big jet!" All excited! Eyes lit up like diamonds! Wild anticipation! They had never before met Daddy coming home on a jet. Their mother was so proud of them. You could see it in her eyes.
Then the plane arrived, the door opened and the passengers streamed in. You didn't have to ask which one was Daddy. The girls' eyes were glued on him. But his first look was for his wife. Seeing her, he yelled, "Why in the heck didn't you bring my top coat?" and walked right past his adoring daughters.
You see, here was a man who had an opportunity to be great, and he didn't recognize it.
How many times a day, a week, a month do we have the opportunity to be great, and not even know it?
I heard this story over 40 years ago, but I never forgot it. It helped to shape my life in a very positive way...to focus on what matter's most.

I thought this was a great reminder of how our actions; if only for a brief moment, can brighten a life or repress it... I want to be a light!

Back in November I blogged about laughter...I think we all need to be reminded again:)

2009-06-25T09:50:00.008-04:00

The best times I've had over the years have involved laughter.

Jesus laughs! How could he not by looking at all of us!

Children laugh... because they find the good in everything and everyone!

Even old guys laugh...(probably a good reason why he is as old as he is.)

& Even horses laugh!

You know, sometimes life just gets too serious...too busy...and too complicated. We don't mean for it to happen, but we wake up one morning to discover the fun has slipped away.
A few years ago a health study determined there are 3 main reasons people can't cope in life:
They live in the past.
They have a low self-esteem.
They can't laugh at themselves.
In fact, the study indicated that we need approximately 12 laughs a day to stay healthy!

So lighten up...laugh a little...find humor in your self and in life!

Too hot to think... or blog:(

2009-06-18T10:44:00.003-04:00

How hot is it?

This hot!

May 25th 1992- A Blessing Came Into My Life!

2009-05-25T08:20:00.011-04:00

Happy 17th Birthday to my beautiful daughter Aubrey. Wow! Time has flown! I can't believe I have one more year before you're off to college. You have been a wonderful gift... I cherish your life. You are creative, caring and full of adventure. You are growing into your own beautiful person, with your own special blend of unique qualities; a magnificent combination of feelings, hopes, thoughts and dreams.

My wish for you this year is for you to Keep trusting and loving God. Keep dreaming all your dreams and don't let anyone come between you and them. Always believe in yourself, Uncover Hidden Talents, Go on Adventures, Have Fun and Be Happy, Treasure Tiny Miracles, Embrace Life and Reach for the Stars!

and always know...I want to do everything I possibly can for you because that's what love does when it is strong and grateful and giving. I want you to know what a gift it is to be your parent...

I Love You!

Have an awesome 17th year-

Aubrey hangin out in the bay-fishin!-

My little baseball player... the only girl on the team!

Basketball... many wonderful years watching you play! (You could dribble in the crib!)

My little princess!

Stylin Profylin!

What a sense of humor- the photographer put this umbrella on you and your eyes said it all.

(1 month old)

Skater Girl! :

Reagan & Aubrey... (always lovin your family!)

All about havin fun!

Always up for an adventure!

Beautiful!

ENC1101: Explain Life Changing Event in your Life!

2009-05-20T16:10:00.004-04:00

My Life Never Was a Fairy Tale

I was fifteen years old and thought I knew everything. The world was at my feet and I was happy. I was finally coming out of my gawky middle school years and was turning into quite a pretty young woman. My parents had been divorced since I was five years old and a “two” family life was really all I had ever known. I t never bothered me, as I saw it I had the best of both worlds. My dad was the successful parent (“My King” if-you-will) and when I was with him I felt like a princess in his castle. I was safe and secure and his vision of my future had nothing but smooth roads ahead. My life with my mom was comforting and cozy. An almost old fashion lifestyle that everyone loves or wishes they could experience. My mom was simple and required nothing but simple results from me.
It was Christmas 1984 and it would be the first one I had not spent with my dad. My dad had flown down to Florida to visit my sisters. I had stayed in cold, snowy Pennsylvania so as to be able to celebrate the holiday with my new boyfriend and his family. He lived across the street and his family was famous for the huge party they threw for most of the town. All my friends would be there and I didn’t want to miss out on all the fun. My Christmas was a happy one, I missed seeing my dad but I was a teenager and life was just beginning. I had all the time in the world to spend with him.
The party came and went and I was making plans for my Christmas break from school. I had talked to my dad on Christmas day and he had informed me that my gifts were in the mail and I probably would receive them by the 26th.
On December 26th I woke to a frightening cry coming from my mother’s room. I knew undoubtedly something was devastatingly wrong. I had never witnessed a cry like that before. It was like a soul being yanked from heaven. It was haunting. I couldn’t move. I just sat up in my bed and looked out my window. The window was cold and icy and I rested my forehead against it. I had no idea why my mom was crying or whom she was talking with on the phone. I just knew in my heart that my life was different and that I would never be the same. The coldness felt good on my face and I couldn’t move. I sat there in my bed, face smudged into the window and I called to my mother. “Mom, what is it?” I still couldn’t move. I think I cried out a few more times but I really don’t remember. My mind, my spirit and my heart were eerily still. The last thing I remember my mom saying to the person on the phone was “Why?”
My mom finally came into my room, she was an emotional wreck. Her face was red and wet from crying and she was hunched over. She sat on my bed. I couldn’t look at her at first. I was afraid. I knew it was something terrible, I could feel it in my bones. “Your Father was killed last night.” And then she paused. “He was pushed from his balcony at the Hyatt and fell eight stories.” “He’s gone honey, “she said. I just cried. I cried so much that my throat and eyes were swollen. I had been catapulted into adulthood by my father’s death. I would never be able to go back to who I was. My father’s death was an unexpected murder. He was forty two years old and I was fifteen. He died young and because of his death I would never be young again.
My father’s life ended on December 26th, 1984 and my new life began. The events leading to his death and the possibility that his wife and friends son were suspects only created a soap opera drama that I was now a part of. Suddenly lawyers and newspapers and police questioning were all a part of my life. It’s all my family could talk or think about. My life became insignificant. I wanted to be the princess again. I wanted things back to normal. After all I was going places, the world was at my feet and my future was bright. At least they were until he died. I decided to look for a new king. I looked for him in boys, alcohol, school, friends, and loneliness. My mother was there for me, but it wasn’t what I wanted. I was grief stricken, full of doubt, and guilt filled my every bone. I knew that if I had only gone to Florida with him, then none of this would have happened. I had been cheated; this was not what I had planned!
It took a long time for me to come back to me. The me that died with my dad. I walked a long road and have made many mistakes. I finally realized that this was my life. The life God planned for me. I grew up fast, but I grew up wise. I realized that my dad was not my king and I definitely am not a princess. I have come to realize that I cannot heal the things that life has done to me. They were done before I could realize what was being done. They made me do things in my life, things that were constantly coming between me and what I’d like to be. And it is in that way, that I seemed to have lost myself for awhile. I am back though and so is my dad. He just lives in my heart!

I Forgot How Much Fun Little Ones Are...

2009-04-30T14:52:00.004-04:00

So my niece Bree is off to another race, this time in St. Croix. She is an awesome athlete and mom...she was however NOT a very good babysitter... Back in the days of her teens she babysat for me once! (Notice once...) I arrived home to find my bathroom door shut with towels all piled up in front of it. (so as to keep out the smell...) My son Hayden was learning to use the "kid's potty" at that time and Bree would have nothing to do with it! I won't elaborate, but I will let you know that my walls were never white again...just a nice shade of beige! It's kindof been the on-going joke between Bree and I over the years... So today I had the honors of keeping an eye on her little boy Kainoa. I documented my beautiful 2 hours with this wonderful little boy and asked him to tell his mommy all about it. (I don't believe in paybacks!!!! :) :) :)

Hey Mom Look at me I got a haircut!

Aunt Cricket cutting my hair... I did pretty good...it's mostly even...

I kept moving around and around- but she could handle it!

Aunt Cricket said I was a "big boy" and did a great job...

She fed me pretty good- and I ate everything!

I even was her "big helper" and walked Phoebe all by myself! We took a long walk

out to the celery fields and I handled Phoebe all by myself!

Hello...do you hear me? I'm talking to you.

2009-04-24T10:54:00.007-04:00

Remember talking? Remember using the voice God gave us to communicate with others? That beautiful voice that you can hear laughter in...sorrow in....truth in...sarcasm in..strength in...love in...people can hear you in....

It’s happening more and more. You look around in a crowded coffee shop, or in the airport security line, or at a sporting event. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is on their cell phone, or sending a text message, or checking their emails. There is now a term for this state of mind: “continuous partial attention.”*

Granted it can be a great thing- I love sending "I love you's" to my children, I love staying in touch with old friends but...

I find it sad. There is a time and a place for that. I feel we're missing out on conversations with strangers at the table next to us or in line with us; all because we're looking at our dumb phones.
To surf the wave of information comin at ya’ everyday, you can only be somewhat accessible and somewhat inaccessible. For if you dive too deep into any one email, your inbox will fill up faster than you can say, “I’m going crazy!” You know you suffer from continuous partial attention if:-You don’t have time to stop and listen to a random street musician playing beautiful music, because who the heck has time for that when you have 13 text messages to reply to and 43 emails in your inbox?-You dare to read your text messages while you’re driving.-Hello???? You can no longer sit through a 2-hour movie at the cinema because you're too busy. (Watched the man in front of me surf- (the net) at the last movie I was at.) He was with his children too:-(
The answer to continuous partial attention is learning to ward off distraction and be present in the moment. By taking the time to turn off the cellphone before important meetings, by having the respect to be fully present when around your children (and for all you "children" be present when around your parents), and by daring to take 2 hours to set your mind free at the movies, or on a walk, you naturally become more present.

It doesn’t feel good when you’re at lunch and the person across from you is multitasking. It doesn't feel good when you're riding in the car with someone who is focused on their phone. You are trying to get their attention, but they keep checking their BlackBerry. How annoying! According to Tim Sanders and his book "The Likeability Factor," the way you make people feel is more important than how good you are at your job.
It feels nice to be in a meeting or out to dinner with someone who looks you in the eye and takes a deep interest in the subject at hand. As Maya Angelou said, “People never remember what you say, and they never remember what you do, but they always remember how you make them feel.”

One who is more present is a better parent. We best teach our children that information overload is not a positive thing. A wise one said, “Children don’t need your presents. They need your presence.” I have a mantra that I believe is a good example to set for children: Everyday of your life (no matter how busy you are), enjoy one beautiful moment, one delicious moment, and one funny moment.

God Bless You Everyone- & Remember Your Presence is your Present... make it whole. No one wants half of anything-

Can You Feel HIS Love?

2009-04-17T14:43:00.004-04:00

Me and my music man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ssRKcNaiU&feature=email

Click and listen & read...

I've been spending a lot of time looking for piano music for Hayden. I was listening to a Garth Brooks CD and liked this song. I kept saying to myself, "This could be a Christian Song." Sounds like God is singing to me...to the world... I came home and found it on YouTube... and guess what? Someone else thought the same as me and made this video- It's awesome!

My New Goal...

2009-04-13T16:30:00.007-04:00

Michigan Sand Dunes...

Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.-- Mother Teresa

2009-03-17T12:47:00.003-04:00

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."~Vivian Greene

Burn Baby Burn...

2009-03-10T10:52:00.006-04:00

So Friday the property 1/4 of a mile from my home caught on fire. If you know anything about Florida this is quite normal during this season. We are dry! Very dry this year due to very little rain and an abnormally cold/ freezing winter. Often these fires are started by lightning or a cigarette that has been tossed. Either way it makes for an enormous amount of smoke and flames. The winds can cause them to spread very quickly and become very dangerous. Once they are done burning the area is black and charred . Then within a few days fresh green, bright green sprigs of grass start to emerge. Within a matter of weeks the area is greener and far more lush than it was before.
As I watched the firemen finish rolling up their hoses it made me think. Wow, this is kind of like life. My life anyway. Some of my trials and tribulations are self inflicted, some caused by others (like the toss of a cigarette) and some just natural occurrences (like lightening). Whatever I go through and when I'm going through it, it is a blaze. It's all I think about, it's all I can see, and all I can feel. Then when it's over.... I bloom again, stronger, and better than before.

Photos courtesy of ABC News 40 Channel 7

We Are All Children...Even Though Most Of Us Have Forgotten!

2009-03-05T09:11:00.004-05:00

I Love My Kids! I sometimes question my actions as a mother. Doesn't every parent? I've always been a "tell it like it is" type person. I've made no exceptions with that trait when it comes to mothering.
I know my children are wise... I know my children are loving... I know my children have morals... I know my children are beautiful and unique. My prayer is to continue to inspire them and remind them that in this life- They were were not made to "fit in", they were "Born to Stand Out!"

A child learns, by wiggling skills through their fingers and their toes, into themselves. By soaking up habits and attitudes of those around them, by pushing and pulling their own world. A child learns more through trial than error, more through pleasure than pain, more through experience than suggestion and telling, and more through suggestion than direction. A child learns through affection, through love, through patience, through understanding, through belonging, through doing and through being. Day by day the child comes to know a little bit of what you know, a little bit more of what you think they understand. That which you dream and believe are in truth what is becoming that child. As you perceive dully or clearly, as you think fuzzily or sharply, as you believe foolishly or wisely, as you dream drably or goldenly, as you bear false witness or tell the truth, thus a child learns.

We need to tell our children they have a choice to become either lovers or losers. For to miss love is to miss life.

Thornton Wilder says, "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love. The only survival and the only meaning."

***

God is love

Don't Lose Your Marbles...

2009-02-26T12:36:00.004-05:00

I love Saturday mornings... I always have. I came across this article and thought I'd share with all of you who love Saturday mornings too!

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday morning. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about “a thousand marbles.” I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say.
“Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It’s too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital,” he continued; “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”
“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
“Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I’m getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail,” he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1,000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.”
Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.
There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.
Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.
It was nice to meet you Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 year old man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!”
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. “C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.” “What brought this on?” she asked with a smile.
“Oh, nothing special, it’s just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”

****
What I love about stories is that they can speak to our soul. This is only one of many great stories in my book, Charging the Human Battery...50 Ways to Motivate Yourself.
Sometimes, our greatest challenge is getting inside our own heads to determine...what makes us tick? That's what this book is all about!Click Here for more Information
Finish Strong,

Happy Valentines Day...May Love Fill Us All!

2009-02-13T08:42:00.010-05:00

[IF]
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master, If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling

*********

: I had read this poem in my past. I had forgotten about it until our Pastor read it to us at church on sunday... Wow it speaks volumes-I hope you enjoy it.

*********

Love is all about "others"

Remember the more we fill ourselves with ourselves the less room God has to fill us...and God is Love!

Oh No He Didn't...

2009-02-11T19:22:00.008-05:00

Oh Yes He Did!

WARNING: THE PICTURES YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU. MY HUSBAND AND BEST FRIEND OF OVER 20 YEARS GOT INKED. I KNOW I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER...HE HAS OFFICIALLY JOINED THE "BAD BOY" CLUB.

Clean Skin

No turning back now!

Serious and sober

Blood & Ink...and that sound! Yikes!

Ta Da!

Branded : Cricket Forever!

Poor Guy- he's stuck with me forever now!

I Love You Paul- thanks for always keeping life exciting!

Question For You:
What happens when two nerds make a 5:00 o'clock appointment on a saturday night at a tattoo parlor?

Answer: See Pictures Above!

Wii Fit/ Nursing Home/ LaCross

2009-02-06T15:07:00.006-05:00

What do these things have in common? They are all part of the Richau Family at this time.

We bought the Wii Fit on Wednesday- and I'm addicted. It is so much fun. I've worked out so much on it that my calves and "behind" are in pain. Who would have thought? It's so hilarious to do for those of you that don't have it... for example: if your doing a "step class" all the characters you created take it with you. So here I am alone in my living room watching my mom's character or her "Mii" just jammin along. I was on a run near the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday and Paul's character ran by me and fell...it's so funny. I find myself cracking up during the entire exercise. I'm NOT a video game person- but this is really fun and you get a workout.

Nursing Home? Well like her "bestest cousin" Brookie - (a phrase from when she was little) Aubrey has started working at Heron East Nursing Home. She's a server in the dining room...Big Stuff for my 16 year old. So far so good...Thanks to Grandma Judy she was able to get in. It's amazing that she is already old enough to be working. People always told me "it" goes fast- but I had no idea this fast. Seems like yesterday she was just learning to ride a bike.

LaCross- well Hayden is now playing LaCross and loving it. We're gone everynight of the week now but he's having a blast. He looks so cute in his helmet and shoulder pads! My "teenager" now has stinky practice gear! He's become his father's son...

Our lives are never boring that's for sure. I Love It!- God Bless...

We're Legal...21years and still drunk on love...

2009-01-27T09:12:00.008-05:00

So yesterday was Paul's and my 21st wedding anniversary... Time is going by so fast! We kind of celebrated all weekend- a dinner out and movie Friday night, Dinner and dancing with friends on Saturday night and a family get together at mom's last night. Just a "do what ya feel like weekend/ day of celebration."

Paul and I have known each other since we were 16 & 17 and it's crazy to reminisce of all our time together. We were cracking up yesterday recalling some of the stupid, immature, innocent crazy and young love things we have done over the years. How he used to think "this" was cool and I thought "that" was cool... it made me think and cherish my one constant... Our love for each other. How blessed I am to have that. I cannot even imagine my life or myself without him. Not to sound corny or steal a line from a movie but he truly does complete me. It's strange because we both have changed in a lot of ways over the years yet the love stays the same. Constant...Sure we have our fights, we bug each other, he does things that annoy me, but the constant love never stops. It over powers the less important or irritating things.

I thank Paul for that, his always loving me. I can honestly say that not one day has gone by that I haven't known he loves me. That's a great thing- he is a good man- he is loyal and faithful and fun. (Sexy too- but Aubrey's going to kill me for writing that... she'll understand someday that is important also.)

So as I sit here looking over the buffet table of my life- I am thankful. I did pick the best main course. Maybe by desserts, appetizers, table settings or drink choices haven't always been the best, but the core of my life and the person I chose to share it with are awesome!

Click below to hear my song to Paul...My Best Friend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDm2AIw7Myo&feature=email

Choice Is A Down Payment On Tomorrow

2009-01-23T09:53:00.006-05:00

Ever been in a funk? Well it's not fun so I don't wish it on anyone... Life is throwing us some crazy stuff right now and I'm doing my best to handle it. We're to the point that all we can do is laugh and pretend it's one of those annoying movies that your just waiting to conclude so that all will come together. "Money Pit" comes to mind, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" is another..."Fun With Dick & Jane" is just an extreme exageration but not sooo far out of the question...

Sunday at church our pastor said the reasons for the places you are in your life right now are because of THE CHOICES you've made. And I do agree with this...

He then went on to give us advise on how to make choices:

Ask yourself these (4) questions before making-

1.) Would God Bless It?

2.) Is It Redemptive?

3.) Is It Defined By Your Love for God?

4.) Does It Demonstrate God's Lordship?

I believe if these are answered affirmatively that "good" should come from our choices- I truly do.

Gosh I know I haven't asked myself these questions in all my decisions and sure wish I would have.

Yet I'm having some difficulty understanding or seeing the good in some of our situations due to our choices at this time- and did I add... I believe they were all "yes's" to these questions... I am confused- I know sometimes we can't see the great plans God has for us, but the blocks aren't stacking well in our favor right now and I need to see some "Light" and soon....

So I'm posting this so that maybe you'll keep us in your prayers...

I'm posting to publically pledge my need for God's grace...

-and I'm posting to let all my friends and family know that I love them and I apologize for not being the normal "me" for quite awhile. I was delt a lot of crap in my younger life and feel I've handled it all pretty well and kept the faith or found the faith- I feel I've always known that even though my moments have been rough there has and always will be someone going through much worse.

I am Thankful for all I've been blessed with-

My children and husband are my greatest gifts- and I would never trade them for anything- they are my "Gold Rock." They keep me sain! They bring me complete happiness...

Anyways it is my hope for myself, my family and all mankind that life gets a little easier and God shows his mercy- I'm not sure that I am as strong as I thought I was... well, maybe I'm just tired!

It's friday- and I've always loved friday's so it will be a good day...TGIF!

I Believe...

2009-01-15T12:56:00.002-05:00

A Birth Certificate shows
that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.
I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe...That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.
I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe....That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe...That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had,
and what you've learned from them......and less to do with how many
birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe...Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you........you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; They just make the most of everything.
Thanks to all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life.. All the best to you in 2009 & God Bless You!! Happy New Year!!

Making Memories!

2009-01-05T12:45:00.004-05:00

Niagara Falls- Brrr. December 31, 2008
Skiiing at "Holiday Valley"

Surprise! Santa bropught us a trip to N.Y./ Canada- skiiing and sight seeing at Niagara Falls! It worked out perfect Christmas morning. I had each event wrapped individually in different size boxes. Aubrey and Hayden were very surprised! We left/ flew out on Sunday the 29th and returned on the 1st! We had a blast...the trip was perfect. Everything fell into place better than we could have anticipated. It was warmer on the days we went skiing, it snowed 7 or 8 inches while we were in Canada. We were blessed with an awesome stay (at the bottom of the chair lift) at the ski resort for one night, we had a great view of the falls from our hotel in Niagara. The weather was sunny most of the time... We got our "cold" fix and then returned to sunny warm Florida. It was just what we needed.

My children are great skiers, surprised the heck out of Paul & I...even after 7 years of not skiiing. We skiied so much we could barely walk, it was hilarious- We skiied "Holiday Valley" in Ellicotville, N.Y. It was better than I had remembered. Had been 25 years since I had been there-

On the trip Aubrey realized she's a "southern girl" and has barried her thoughts of going to a northern college... She was freezing the entire trip! Hayden on-the -other -hand wants to move to the north when he goes to college.

If anyone is car shopping: We rented a Toyota Rave 4 and to our surprise found it to be very comfortable and great on gas. We drove a total of 650 miles and never had to add gas until we returned it, and then it only cost $25.00 to fill it up! I'm tellin ya everyting was surreal and fell into place perfectly. We were blessed...

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Where Have I Been?

2008-12-18T15:36:00.002-05:00

I've been dreaming of a White Christmas...Just like the one's I used to know.

Look upward seeking God's will in your life...

Look outward desiring to help other's...

Look inward maintaining a deliberate and devoted faith...

I'm so excited we have a big surprise planned for Christmas...stay tuned to find out!

Transformed: Day 30 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-10T09:04:00.004-05:00

Romans 12:2

...be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...

Cricket's translation: change your thought pattern- what goes into your mind comes out in your life.

Wow, it's done! 30 days of positive, I did it. It has been a beautiful, rewarding experience. The last 30 days have been awesome. My mind and heart have been exactly where God has intended them to be. Everyday I prayed and meditated on each positve post that I made to make sure it was the right one. I've wrote some that I've never submitted because they just didn't settle in my soul. I truly have been on a positive journey these last 30 days and feel I am in a better place in my life because of it. I felt accountable to all that follow this blog- I felt it a necessity to make sure I was in tune with what God wanted me to post for me & for you.

I started this idea while I was re-reading "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. I read it last year and decided to read it again and decided to follow some of his thought patterns. The funny thing is he wrote the book in 1952 and he advised making a list of positives on paper for 30 days. I guess I updated it to the 2008 version by making it the focus on my blog. I felt if I had others to hold me accountable I would be less likely to fail. It worked, but I found instead of writing the positives as a daily chore they became more of a daily birth of my heart and mind. My heart and my mind have been forever changed. I find if a negative thought even creeps into my mind now I can feel it. I feel it like I feel a bug crawling on my leg or a cramp in my stomach. I feel ugly and useless and immediately throw that thought to the curb.

I want to thank each of you that have followed and responded via email, phone calls , with a comment in person or by commenting on the blog itself. You all have inspired me to be better and to think better- Thanks... Who knows maybe my New Years Resolution will be 365 Days of Positive??? It has been suggested by my sister and I feel she may be right.

I Love You All- Have A Great Day- Your Mind is New... & Your Heart Changed!

Gift Suggestions: Day 29 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-09T10:01:00.004-05:00

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

Be Thankful For Work: Day 28 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-08T11:14:00.008-05:00

Never work just for power and money. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.

Marian Wright Edelman

-from the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

Proverbs 12:14

I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.

Helen Keller

Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas Edison

So this morning I had to run to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I immediately noticed the man replenishing the produce, he was happily whistling the Twelve Days of Christmas as he worked. In one of the isles another man was stocking the crackers and he too was humming a little tune and acknowledged me with a big, "Good Morning." Then as I was checking out the joyful voice and intriguing story of the bag boy in the lane behind me caught my attention. He was talking with the elderly couple that were checking out , and upon hearing his voice I immediately smiled. You know the type. The "older jolly grandpa voice" the voice that brings you comfort- He was telling the little couple about an episode of "Johny Carson" from years ago. Apparently Johny had a 144 year old guest on the show and he was asked his secret to living so long. The 144 year old said "I never let a day go by with out happily accomplishing something." The man checking out then asked the bagger how old he was, and he answered 88. I put 2 and 2 together and figured out that they too were taken with him. They must have commented on his great attitude while bagging their groceries, which led him to his Johny Carson story. Wow I thought- so happy just to be working, so happy just to talk to people...and 88 years old! He was adorable and he made my day! My post for the day too-
I hope my attitude may always be like those Publix employees while I am working. I also hope that I too will be as grateful as that 88 year old seems to be.
What a great morning- I was blessed! Thanks-

You Can! Day 27 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-07T21:06:00.004-05:00

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Phillipians 4:13

Your Season is Coming: Day 26 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-06T09:59:00.002-05:00

Most of my youth was spent in Michigan & Pennsyslvania. The thing I miss most about those states are their beautiful seasons. Mother Earth's way of showing us that everything has it's moment, things are born, they change , they rest and next season they bloom again. This is Father God's way of showing us we too will bloom many times over the course of our lives and at different seasons. Have Faith, no one ever just "blooms" once!

In three words I can sum up everything I learned about life: it goes on.

Robert Frost

No Complaining: Day 25 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-05T08:38:00.004-05:00

No matter how small your paycheck was this week, No matter what the weather was like, No matter what the "grouchy lady" said to you, No matter how much you have -to-do, No matter how tight your jeans are, No matter who cut you off in traffic , No matter how messy your house gets, No matter how much "it " cost, No matter how tired you are, No matter how long you waited in line, No matter how hard you worked, No matter how "lucky" they are, No matter what time you had to get up, No matter how bad your bones are aching, No matter how much your electric bill was last month, No matter what- don't COMPLAIN!

Complaining does nothing good for anyone. It only brings you and the ones you complain to down and eventually if you let it it will keep you there. Don't get caught up in Complaining - it is a nasty trap!

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing,

Philippians 2:14

A Complaining spirit is first a caller,

then a comforting guest,

and finally a master...a master leading you no where.

Accept Differences: Day 24 of 30 days of Positive!

2008-12-04T12:44:00.005-05:00

I love my dogs just as they are- just like they love me just as I am! Pets are awesome...they don't try to change us, they love us when we're sad, when we're happy, when we're right and when we are wrong. They love us when we stink, or say the wrong thing, if we're too fat or too skinny. They like all our hairstyles, and any outfit that we are wearing. Pet's love our hearts. I too want to be more like my pets.

"Charlie" are big bundle of love.

Accept differences.
We are all unique, in our outlook, perceptions, attitudes, feelings, experiences, and history. There is no one just like us in the world. There never has been an exact duplicate of us, nor will there ever be one.

Differences make life interesting, and yes, challenging. Dealing with other people who see life differently makes for interesting relationships. Differences give life its opportunities for growth, insight, and awareness. The unfortunate thing is that these differences can often lead to unmanaged or unresolved conflict, stress, and disappointment.

People who live happy lives accept the uniqueness of individuals. They are not on a mission to change them, correct them or invalidate them. Happy people understand that everyone is on their own path throughout life doing what they need to do in order for them to fulfill their destiny.

Happy people also accept themselves for who they are, and who they are becoming. They are not in a rush to get to the end of the game. They are patient with themselves and others knowing that differences in human behavior is, just the way it is.

Who are you trying to change? Who in your life needs behavior or attitude modification? If you have a long list you have a lot of work to do on yourself before you will find true happiness.

Phoebe posing for the camera...she is a super model!

Focus: Day 23 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-03T08:41:00.004-05:00

WHAT YOU FOCUS ON GROWS!

GOOD

OR BAD!

Be Present: Day 22 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-02T10:01:00.009-05:00

Throw your "act" away so you may offer the "real" you to others and in return begin to live!

I heard a story once about an elderly married couple. They were at a newcomers' dessert-type thing, a get acquainted type party. As part of the introduction they were asked to share their "family motto." The elderly couple was the type you are easily drawn to. The gentleman had a twinkle in his eye, a spark, as if he had discovered the secret to life. His wife was a tiny woman who was described as being very present. She was not a woman in hiding, nor a woman afraid. She was a woman at rest, at home with herself and with all pistons firing. She was alive and beautiful.

The gentleman looked at his wife and asked, "Do we have a family motto?" She answered, "Well, it's been on the refrigerator for the past thirty years." He asked, What? Amana?" (the Brand name) After some laughter, this is what she shared. This is what she lived by. This is what she invited others into.

This is their motto:

Now we should live when the pulse of life is strong. Life is a tenuous thing...fragile, fleeting. Don't wait for tomorrow. Be here now! Be here now! Be here now!

Be here now. Be real and present in this moment. Do not continue to hide, so much will be lost. We cannot have friendship or intimacy with God or anyone else if we stay hidden and offer only who we think we ought to be or what we believe is wanted. Remove your face that you have learned is safe, remove it and be what God intended you to be. It's not by accident that you were born; it was not by chance that you have desires you do.

God really does want you to know who you are. He wants you to be able to understand the story of your life. To know where you've come from, and where you are going. There is freedom there. Freedom to be and to offer and to love.

So who are you? You are God's perfect design. You were chosen before time and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved. You are needed. You are needed to play out your role in this life. The role God intended for you.

So go and let your guard down- be you- the you God intended. He makes no mistakes and everything he makes is beautiful!

Do Something Good: Day 21 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-12-01T08:24:00.005-05:00

Do Something Good- Because You Never Know- You May Be Laying The Groundwork For Something Great!

** In the late nineteenth century, a member of Parliament traveled to Scotland to make a speech. He traveled to Edinburgh by train and then took a carriage southward to his destination. The carriage, however, became mired in the mud. A Scottish farm boy came to the rescue with a team of horses and pulled the carriage loose. The politician asked the boy how much he owed him, "Nothing," the lad replied. "Are you sure?" the politician pressed, but the boy declined payment. "Well, is there anything I can do for you? What do you want to be when you grow up?"The boy responded, "A doctor." The aristocratic Englishmen offered to help the young Scot go to the university, and he followed through on his pledge.
More than half a century later, Winston Churchill lay dangerously ill with pneumonia- stricken while attending a wartime conference in Morocco. A new wonder drug was administered to him- a drug called penicillin that had been discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming. Fleming was the young Scottish lad once befriended. His benefactor? Randolph Churchill, Winston's father!
Sometimes the good that we do may come back in the form of a miracle you need.

**

Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:7,9 NLT

Just Have Fun! Day 20 of 30 days of Positive!

2008-11-30T13:56:00.005-05:00

Try to do something "fun" everyday. Every ones "fun" is different but to everyone it is a necessity. It's a guide to show us we are on the right path, a sign that we are doing well and a confirmation that we are blessed.

"No man is a failure who is enjoying life & having fun."

"The more fun you have, the greater your value to yourself and to your society. The more fun you share with others, the more fun you have."

"A Playful path is the shortest road to happiness."

" He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day...needs to reorganize his life"

Look On The Bright Side: Day 19 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-29T17:19:00.002-05:00

For every negative that consumes your happiness,

Affirm two positives that sustain you.

For every "should've" you wish you'd done,

Acknowledge something you're glad you did.

For every loss that has altered your world,

Count from it something you have gained.

For every limit that has ever beset you,

Consider your possibilities.

You can't always change the way things are,

But you can change the way you wish to see them.

Never stop looking

For the brighter side and beyond.

A Good Example. Day 18 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-28T22:51:00.001-05:00

A good example is the best sermon.

Thankful! Day 17 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-27T09:17:00.006-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

So I've been praying all night and morning on what to post. Thankful seemed almost a given being that it was Thanksgiving. I really wanted to come up with something eloquant or mystical...but God insisted I go with Thankful. I believe this is one of God's favorite holidays. He wants us all to be thankful for all He provides. So make sure you invite Him to your table today!

Thank Him for all your blessings- Let Him know you love Him.

So what am I Thankful for? Where do I start? I guess at the beginning...

I am thankful I was born

I am thankful for Jesus

I am thankful for the air I breathe

I am thankful for my heart... for it loves and feels love

I am thankful for my mind, so I can learn

I am thankful for my legs, so I can walk

I am thankful for my arms, so I can hug

I am thankful for my hands, so I can feel and touch

I am thankful for my eyes, so I can see

I am thankful for my ears, so I can hear

I am thankful for my nose, so I can smell

I am thankful for my behind, so I can rest

I am thankful for my tounge, so I can taste

I am thankful for my knees, so I can kneel

I am thankful for my children

Iam thankful for my husband

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for my pets

I am thankful for all animals...yes even snakes I guess

I am thankful for all my friends

I am thankful for people

I am thankful for nature, because it is beautiful & brings me joy

I am thankful for water, so I can quench my thirst and bath

I am thankful for the sun, for it warms me and brightens my day

I am thankful for the rain, the wind, the dew, the frost, the seasons, the moon, the clouds...etc. etc. etc.etc.etc.etc...................I would go on but I don't know when I'd be able to stop.

It's funny because when you start to make the list all FREE things, Gods Gifts, if you will, that you can not buy come to mind first. We have all we need, we have all we could ever want- Be Grateful!

******************************************************

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

Family: Day 16 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-26T08:37:00.006-05:00

Be Thankful For Your Family. For a family teaches us what kind of person we want to be. From the good we can copy how we want to conduct ourselves and from the bad we can "not copy" how we want to conduct ourselves. Either way and in all ways we learn from them. It's how we use and apply what we learn that defines us as a person.
The older I get the more I am thankful for my family. I realize how important they are in my life. They know all about me and like me anyways.
We are not perfect...but we have perfect moments. We are not all the same...but we respect our differences. We don't always agree...but we try to understand. We sometimes cry...but more often we laugh. We always like...but more importantly we always love. I am grateful for all my family members! Thanks to you all- I Love You! (those pictured and those not)

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.
Anthony Brandt

Heirlooms we don't have in our family. But stories we've got.

Rose Cherin

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family:Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.

Mother Teresa

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.

If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.'
Jeff Foxworthy

A healthy family is sacred territory.

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

Self Righteousness: Day 15 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-25T11:34:00.010-05:00

Be careful of Self Righteousness, for Self Righteous People are the hardest to reach. They are in a very lonely place where no one else is allowed!

********************

Love Measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself.

William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

We Are All Something, But None Of Us Are Everything.

He was like the cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.
George Eliot

Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, 'Something is out of tune.'
Carl Jung

Atonement: Day 14 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-24T09:35:00.008-05:00

a·tone·ment
n.
1. Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
2.
a. Reconciliation or an instance of reconciliation between God and humans.
b. Atonement Christianity The reconciliation of God and humans brought about by the redemptive life and death of Jesus.
3. Obsolete Reconciliation; concord.

We were all meant to walk through storms. There is so much more waiting for us on the other side of those storms. We feel safe just looking at the storms and waiting for them to pass- but they never will. Life is not meant to be safe- the storms are ours and they are meant for us. For it is only in our mistakes, our errors, and our faults that we grow and truly live. Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is believing you are worthy of the trip. Have trust that God will hold your hand throughout it. Get to the other side of the storm and feel the freedom.
No one ever has been lost to the storm- just Lost In It! You don't have to fight the storm, just quit feeding it- stop giving it power over you. No one ever wants to go back once they have made it through- I promise you that. Once you've made it you will find Atonement.

Atonement! It's a chance to fix the unfixable and start all over again. It begins when you forgive yourself for all you've done wrong, and forgive others for all they've done to you. Your mistakes aren't mistakes anymore, they're just things that make you stronger. Atonement is a great redeeming and equalizing force that leads to the fulfillment of all things: every hug you've longed for, every vacation, baseball game or walk in the snow you've missed. Everyone you've loved and lost. Atonement is "Heaven on Earth." It is not Heaven however, Heaven is Better! - some of these words were inspired by Glenn Becks book-"The Christmas Sweater"

Let Go Of All That Is Holding You Back- Let Go & Let God...

Don't Worry: Day13 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-23T14:11:00.007-05:00

Worry is a darkroom where negatives are developed!

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25

Don't even go there- it is hard to stay out of...but Keep Out of that negative place and don't let worry steal any more moments from your life!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 6:27

Accommodate: Day 12 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-22T16:01:00.003-05:00

When you can't change the direction of the wind, adjust your sails.

Max DePree

Laughter- I thought everyone needs to see this one again (Posted in Nov. 2008)

2008-11-21T07:24:00.011-05:00

You know, sometimes life just gets too serious...too busy...and too complicated. We don't mean for it to happen, but we wake up one morning to discover the fun has slipped away.
A few years ago a health study determined there are 3 main reasons people can't cope in life:
They live in the past.
They have a low self-esteem.
They can't laugh at themselves.
In fact, the study indicated that we need approximately 12 laughs a day to stay healthy!

SO LAUGH..NOW!

Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place.

~Josh Billings

Remember, we need laughter sometimes more than food. ~Anna Fellows Johnston

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. ~Victor Borge

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

I came across this joke and thought it was really funny! It reminded me of something I would have said as a child! Seems I always encountered people like this teacher... Ouch!

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though a whale is a very large mammal, its throat is very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. The teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human, it was impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah”.The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”The little girl replied, “Then you ask him!”

Just Laugh!- Innocence is so adorable!

You're Beautiful! Day 10 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-20T09:33:00.008-05:00

“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

Mother Teresa

Day 10- A Perfect 10... On a Scale of 1 to 10...Coincidence? Maybe...

Smile...You're Beautiful- It's True! - Don't let anyone else tell you different.

Beauty is the core to a woman- who she is and what she longs to be- and one of the most glorious ways to bear the image of God in a broken and often ugly world. It's messy to talk about. It's mysterious. And that should not surprise us. Women are creatures of mystery, not problems to be solved but mysteries to be enjoyed.

Woman want to impact the world for good. We want to make it more beautiful. We put flowers on the table, decorate our homes, paint our toenails, color our hair, pierce our ears, all in an effort to be ever more beautiful.

With beauty I don't mean " a perfect figure." The beauty of a woman is her soulish beauty. Deep within and so bright it comes shining out! Beauty is what the world longs to experience from a woman. We all know that. Somewhere deep down we know it's true. Beauty was given to all of us from God! Beauty is powerful, Beauty speaks, Beauty invites, Beauty nourishes, Beauty comforts, and Beauty inspires. Beauty draws us to God. (think sunsets, waterfalls, trees, flowers,)

Put your defenses down. Set aside your normal means of survival and let your heart show up- Beauty comes with it! A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy enough. She knows in her quiet center where God dwells that HE finds her beautiful, has deemned her worthy, and in HIM she is more than enough. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become.

Beauty comes for most when we don't know it, when we are at rest with ourself. Loving, Helping and being the woman GOD intended us to be! - when we are not trying to make it come.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL...GOD DESIGNED US (woman) LAST...The Crescendo...The Cherry on Top...the final work of God. He saved the BEST for last and don't ever forget that. Look out the window right now- just do it... and say, "The whole vast world is incomplete without me, Creation reached its zenith in me."

Be The Beauty you want to see in the World- start today...

Many of these words were inspired from the book: "Captivating"- by John & Stasi Eldredge

Be Grateful: Day 9 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-19T09:42:00.007-05:00

Remember That Not To Be Happy Is Not To Be Grateful!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Be Careful of Opinions: Day 8 of 30 Days of Positve!

2008-11-18T10:40:00.004-05:00

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of our most influential Founding Fathers.

A polymath, Jefferson achieved distinction as, among other things, a horticulturist, statesman, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, author, inventor, and founder of the University of Virginia. What most don't know is that he was considered Legally Deaf! He was offered at that time the "first hearing aid" and he declined, stating- "I don't want others opinions to affect my thinking!"

The key word there is opinions...

Educate yourself, read, pray, observe, always find the truth not the opinion, in all your endeavors.

IF A MILLION PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING FOOLISH, IT'S STILL FOOLISH. TRUTH IS NEVER DEPENDENT UPON CONSENSUS OF OPINION.

Choose Friends Wisely: Day 7 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-17T08:48:00.006-05:00

We become like those with whom we associate: " A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."

Proverbs 27:29

Keep Life Simple- Day 6 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-15T13:22:00.012-05:00

November 16th, 2008!!! My Baby Boy Is Thirteen Today.... Such a Special Gift I was Given 13 years ago today. I will never take for granted the Love of A Son!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdRIOW0qlSk

Click On the Site above and Listen- Even Old Southern Rock can teach us a positive lesson! I have always loved this song- and even more after Hayden was born.

Keep life simple, slow down, love, don't lust after money, know & love what you do, don't worry, follow your heart (God dwells there), bad times will pass, don't sell your soul and most importantly- Don't forget there is a GOD!

Time is a Gift- Day 5 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-15T08:42:00.002-05:00

Imagine for a moment that a bank suddenly announced this new policy:

"Every morning your account will be credited with $86,400. You can carry no balance from day to day. Every evening your account will be canceled, and whatever money you have failed to use during the day will be returned to the bank."

What would you do? Why, you'd draw out every cent of the $86,400 each day and spend it, save it, or invest it. Before long, you could be a wealthy person, indeed!

Actually, you have a bank account with a similar policy. It is called time. Every morning, you are given the prospect of 86, 400 seconds. At the close of that twenty-four-hour period, the moments you have failed to withdraw and invest into a good purpose are ruled off your ledger. Time carries no balance from day to day. It allows no overdrafts. Each day a new account is opened to you. If you fail to withdraw and use the day's deposit, it's your loss.

Those who truly love life use time to the maximum. Make your days count rather than counting your days!

Appreciation! Day 4 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-14T09:43:00.005-05:00

Be an appreciator of the seemingly small things in life; a smile, a kind word, a beautiful flower, a few hours of unstructured time, a laughing child, for it is the small things that become the warp and weft of the fabric of your life.

Lucy MacDonald

This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

(I just love this picture of the monkey and the pigeon! It makes me so happy! I don't know if it goes with the post but it definietly made me smile.)

Teachable Spirit- Day 3 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-13T09:18:00.016-05:00

Wisdom Of The Ages

Consider the progression of comments:

A child of five who has just completed a puzzle: Daddy, Daddy, I can do anything!

A twenty-one-year-old: Just ask me anything!

A forty-year-old -man: If it's in my line, I can tell you because I know my business
like an open book.

A man of fifty: The field of human knowledge is so vast that even a specialist can
hardly know all of it.

A man of seventy: I've lived a good many years, and I've come to realize that what I
know is little and what I don't know is vast.

A man of ninety: I really don't know much, and I can't recall even more.

The younger you are when you realize how little you really know, the better off you'll be. One of the greatest character traits is a teachable spirit.

*********************************************************

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Author Unknown

No Failures- Day 2 of 30 Days of Positive!

2008-11-12T15:37:00.006-05:00

Failure is an event, not a person.

Yesterday ended last night.

Zig Ziglar

Faith!- Day 1 of 30 Days of Positive Thought!

2008-11-11T10:23:00.005-05:00

THROW YOUR HEART OVER THE BAR AND YOUR BODY WILL FOLLOW!

Throw your faith over your difficulty, Throw your spiritual essence in you over the bar and your material self will follow in the victory groove thus pioneered by your faith inspired mind!

My Tornado

2008-11-05T17:53:00.015-05:00

" One" of Hayden's Halloween Costumes- The Joker

Paul & Me- Just Clownin Around on Halloween!

Aubrey (The Cowgirl) & Hayden (his other costume) ready for Halloween!

We Made Yummy Carmel Apples

The kiddos making the Carmel Apples

Me carving my pumpkin- I've never missed a year that I can remember!

Paul carving his pumpkin!

Hayden carving his pumpkin!

Aubrey carving her pumpkin!

My new "redneck" look! Just jokin- the hat was a free gift from the Jeep Festival!

Weekend project! Re-landscaping our front planter!

(The Lady in Red...) Aubrey and friends before "Homecoming Dance"

Lookin Good for the Homecoming!

Aubrey & Grandma Judy goofing around while shopping

It's "Paris Ericka" shopping at our new Kohl's!

Shawn & Mom!

Grandma gotta Harley!

Aubrey & Grandma at Orlando Airport/ Mall

I go go go... do do do and then I come up for a breath and realize October is over! October was a packed filled month. Two camping weekends, a visit from my sister in Idaho, Aubrey's homecoming, Aubrey and Hayden's Golf season, Sister's birthday, Mother-in-laws birthday, Re-landscaping our front planter area- (which was long over-do), Halloween and my normal work and workout schedules. I can hardly remember the month! I don't like when that happens... I love my life and don't want it to fly by so quickly. I want to remember the journey- for that is - my life. So hopefully November will be a little bit slower-(the bills come slower that way) or maybe I just need to slow down. Whatever happens I will be grateful for all I have. In the end it's the times, the memories and the insignifigant moments that are the most important.

Happy Election Day!

2008-11-04T14:48:00.005-05:00

GO VOTE!

May the best man win...

...and keep in mind the wise words from

President Abraham Lincoln

My Concern is not whether God is on our side; My greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right!

My Morning Habit

2008-10-18T13:06:00.002-04:00

Every morning, lean thine arms awhile

Upon the window-sill of Heaven

And gaze upon the Lord...

Then, with that vision in thy heart,

Turn strong to meet the day.

I have made this a kind of morning habit and can assure you of the amazing value of this technique for starting off a day- "lean upon the window-sill of heaven," leave off looking so hard at your difficulties, and instead, "gaze upon the Lord." In so doing you will have strength and peace and power. This practice has powerful revitalizing potential.

It's a daily mental "shampoo." Resentments, of course, and fears and hatreds; also, the negative and selfish thoughts that impede the flow of power through your personality are flushed out. It re-establishes the perspective that leads to successful action.

God is in control- but only if I let him be...

This is for the Birds!

2008-10-16T12:21:00.007-04:00

I would never hurt a flea... (maybe a cockroach) and would never turn my back knowingly on any human being in need...But seriously though- I was forwarded this and it struck me....

The analogy is absolutely right on . . .

I bought a bird feeder and hung it on my back porch. It's a beauty of a bird feeder and I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards over the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table ...everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. Other birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be.... quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see...Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to 'press one' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than 'Old Glory' are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder. If not, continue cleaning up the poop!

AMEN!!!!

JEEPIN IN OCALA

2008-10-09T11:23:00.006-04:00

So we headed up to Ocala with family & friends for a weekend getaway! We did some 4 wheelin on saturday and camped out friday and saturday. We all had a great time...We're going back soon!

Climb Aubrey Climb!

Family Breakfast at campground
Renee & Dan Climbing!
Cory w/ his tricky Maneuvers
Paris...Oh Aubrey on the trail!
Dan & Rodger caught on a rock- Crawl Dan Crawl

Cricket's Politics 101

2008-10-06T13:24:00.005-04:00

- Connie & I went to the Palin Rally today in Clearwater Florida!!!

I am tired of the crap being said about Sarah Palin. The country claims they want "real" people in the government- we have one offered to us and then many of you beat her down and pick her apart.

This is how I see it:

If Senator Obama, Senator Biden, Senator McCain & Governor Palin were assigned to cook dinner for us (the people) tonight- Obama & Biden would sit around the table discussing who would cook, clean up, who else they could invite to win "brownie" points & make a profit? While Sarah Palin would have already made the dinner and set the table by herself- McCain would be in charge of Security just incase Obama invited any of his friends!

Wake up America...Don't be used. Quit listening to Mainstream Media (NBC...CBS...The New York Rhymes) They have their hand in all of this and are telling you only what they want you to hear. WHY? Listen to FOX News, Glen Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity- they are fair, they are with us.

and please...give me a break Hollywood - like you all have been doing a great job as "role models!"

I Can Breath Again...

2008-09-25T10:57:00.008-04:00

So life hasn't been much fun lately...looking back for about the last year our business has been the slowest it's ever been. The "News" is no longer news just a reminder of how messed up our economy & world is. Locally here in Sarasota all people talk about is job losses, no jobs, foreclosures, up-side down mortgages, New construction at a stand still, Teachers being let go do to children moving out of state- (parents have lost job or can't find one) , you name it...and on top of it all- It has been HOT! The kind of hot - well let me give you an example... I was at Universal Studios a couple of weeks ago and the B.O. was so bad it became the normal aroma for the air I had to breath. The garbage in the dumpsters has baked like a cake and it's all you can smell- everywhere. It has seemed like Hell here due to the heat and humidity. ( Which reminds me- please pray for the people hit by Hurricane Ike-I can only imagine what they are going through) I really felt like I was experiencing a little taste of the Devils "down-under" ! Scary!

I know in these sort of situations one must surround themselves and fill there mind with positive, purposeful words and thoughts. Boy have I been reading every book I could find from the Christian Book store... Listening whole heartedly to every word my pastor preaches, praying, you name it...I was still feeling depressed. I've been suffocating. I'm not a person that has ever had this problem, but life lately had been joyless! I needed a sign...please God give me a sign that things are going to look up... I got it today! I woke up to 68 degree weather. (If there is any humidity I can't tell... ) Today is beautiful, clear blue sky, and in the 70's now- Thank You God- I needed this...

I Can Breath! There is Hope...There is always Hope!

I Miss...

2008-09-19T14:49:00.010-04:00

My Dad! Just having him there like when I was young...

Picking fresh raspberries like I did when I was young.
Canoeing in Pennsylvania with my friends ... when I was young.
Running through a corn field and playing hide and go seek...like I did when I was young.

Climbing the "sand dunes" like I did when I was young.
Having a great body- without exercising...like when I was young!
Young innocent love, no "big people stuff" attached...like when Paul & I were young.
Knowing nothing about the economy- (and not caring that I didn't)...like when I was young.

If only I could go back for a day...and take it all in just one more time.

Appreciate it for all it was.

Kentucky Ironman Trip

2008-09-03T08:23:00.006-04:00

Bree coming off the bridge in Louisville
Tyler & Hayden- Sperm wanna be's
The Winner! / Super man/ Holy *!%$ he's fast!

Ericka and Hayden goofing off while we hung up signs for Bree! Me making a poster for Bree!
Ericka- Bree's Mom keeping the family updated across the U.S.
Aubrey, Hayden & Tyler during the swim!
Waiting for Bree

Wooh- I'm still recoverying from our great weekend in Kentucky. We left friday at 5 a.m. and drove straight to Louisville- 15 hours... we spent the weekend doing the whole Ironman spectator thing. Watched our amazing little Bree do her thing!- We Laughed, Cried, Cheered, Ran, Walked, Drove, Talked, Listened, Admired, Prayed and Prayed some more, Ate, Drank, Sat, Stood- for hours, Hugged, and waited... it was the longest most thrilling roller coaster I have ever rode! Ironmen/ Woman are truly amazing people- they are definitely programed different than me. I admire them all- from the one who comes in first to the last to cross the line- they are all winners.

We met so many nice people from all over- and I can't say enough nice things about the locals there. Truly down-to-earth nice people!

It's hard to imagine that the entire 15 hour drive from Sarasota Florida to Louisville Kentucky is the same amount of time it takes for some people to complete the Ironman. What do you people think about? I can barely hold my self together in the car sitting on my butt- I am in awe over the dedication.

Then there is Bree- my niece! I've known her all her life and she never stops surprising me with her dedication. Who knew that that little cute bundle born on a cold December day- my sister's child would grow to become an Ironman-woman! and a FAST one at that! God sprinkled her with something extra... I know we all have gifts and one is not better than another- but Bree's is amazing to me and I am in awe. So proud of the woman she has become and so proud to call her family. Thanks Bree for doing Ironman Kentucky- I loved seeing you and seeing a new place- we ALL had a blast!

To all my family that was not there- there will be more- and to all my family and friends who made the trip a blast- Thankyou

"Mini" Florida Keys Trip

2008-08-07T11:08:00.010-04:00

Paul 5 miles offshore- BEAUTIFUL WATER!
More Beautiful Water- approaching Loo Key Reef

So we took a little trip to the Key's! It was awesome. We rented a boat and spent (2) days snorkeling at many different reefs. Our favorite was Loo Key Reef- 5 miles off shore from where we were camping. It was unbelievable. It felt like we were in an aquarium. We saw millions of tropical fish- Reef sharks, Ray's, Barracuda, Crabs, Jelly Fish, Lobsters, A school of squid, Tarpon, it was magical. Our backs and butts got burned- we had a blast! The water color was amazing... The things we saw were surreal- we had a lot of fun!

Our campspot- right by the boat launch! Noisy!!! An endangered "Key Deer"
This is a mama, daddy and their baby dolphin- saw this a lot too.
Aubrey & Hayden- 1st day on boat
Paul & I- just got boat and heading out.

Saw a bunch of these
Saw a family of Ray's like this
Parrot Fish- we saw millions of these
Loo Key Reef- aerial shot

Hayden's "raisin feet" after 8 hours of wearing his fin booties.
Aubrey
Hayden on boat
Paul on boat

Last stop- Kids and I outside "Wide World of Sports"

As Time Goes By...

2008-07-22T14:36:00.007-04:00

Paul's 19th Birthday- I can remember baking that cake like it was yesterday!
Paul's 39th Birthday! WOW- 20 years after top picture taken!

We had a great weekend- We celebrated the life of an awesome man and love of my life- Paul! (He turned 39 on Friday) Happy 39th Year Babe- May it be one of your best ever.

Aubrey also returned from her Mission Trip to Jamaica on Saturday! She was Blessed! -and we are Happy To Have Her Back at Home!

"Remember When 30 seemed so old

Now looking back, it's just a stepping stone

To where we are, where we've been

Said we'd do it all again

Remember When."

Alan Jackson

Everything Happpens For A Reason!

2008-07-17T10:22:00.003-04:00

So last Sunday Paul was supposed to be in the Morton Plant Mease Tri.- we drove up to Clearwater Beach on Saturday to pick up packet, drove some of the course, checked out parking - the typical pre-race stuff. While driving home I'll have to admit I was not in the mood to go watch a tri on Sunday- it took us 2 hours to drive to registration and I was not looking forward to getting up at 3 a.m. It's been rainy and gray here- just not my idea of good race weather.(Participant or not) So I made a good pre-race meal for him- he got all his stuff around- we watched a little T.V. and went to bed early... I set the alarm...for 3:00 a.m. At 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning we woke up abruptly to a rain storm- no alarm- our power had went out or something. We talked about what to do- we could drive like maniacs and probably make it- I told him I didn't want to make the decision. (Cuz rememeber, I wasn't in the mood) After a quick thought he said I guess it's not worth it- (It was pouring rain here in Sarasota) So we went back to bed, tossed and turned for about an hour- I knew he was feeling like...he quit or something. So we went to chuch and had a typical day.

Today though- I open an email to find the race had been cancelled! Yes Cancelled due to weather and safety issues!

My guilt is gone! All week I have been feeling like I made this happen for selfish reasons and let Paul down in a way. But...I didn't! It was God's plan all along!

So I rescheduled him for a race in August in exchange for this cancellation- and best of all- it's on a Saturday!

My Little Girl is on a Mission!

2008-07-12T10:04:00.003-04:00

Aubrey left for Jamaica this morning for the high school mission trip!

May this trip be life changing for all the kids and may God Bless Them all and All they touch!

I Guess I'll Play Tag Too...

2008-07-08T09:13:00.003-04:00

10 yrs ago I was...
Living here in Sarasota, had finished Cosmetology school. I was 28 years old, loving life with my 2 1/2 yr. old son and 6 yr. old daughter. Paul and I had been married for 10 yrs. and that seemed long! Fun family times, teaching Aubrey to snorkel, and Hayden would ride along in his blow-up boat. ( A few months later we would move to Chicago!)

5 Yrs ago I was...
I was back in Sarasota- living where I'm living still working on our business with Paul. Seems like we were having sleepovers every weekend with Aubrey's friends- (so I just looked at photos to remember...wow I was a lot heavier...) We went and visited Brookie in West Palm 5 yrs ago this summer.

1 Yr ago I was...
In California on vacation. Loving it all- We visited San Fransisco, The Wine Valley and Yosemite National Park! We didn't want to leave Yosemite! We stayed a night in a Yurt! (1st time ever hearing of one!)

5 Things To Do Today...
Laundry
Workout
Vacuum
Call insurance company to deal with an issue.
Do my Bible study (I vowed I would get back to it- been slacking this summer)

5 Snacks I Like...
Oatmeal
Cherries
Blueberries
Dark Chocolate
Salty Chips...(don't even give me one)

If I were a billionaire...
I'd sleep like a baby...
Pay off all my debt and families debt. Travel...Travel...Travel...
After my children were in college Paul & I would become missionaries- where ever the Lord needed us! Adopt a child that needed me.

6 People I want to have lunch with tomorrow...
1.) I'd love to meet my dad for lunch and talk the way an adult child talks to there parent. (My dad passed away when I was 15) I even want to drive and pick him up!
2.) Pastor Bill
3.) My sisters- Ericka, Shawn, me and my 1/2 sister Erin that we haven't seen in 20 years!
4.) My mom- I love having lunch with her.
5.) My old childhood friends- Sandy and Christy
6.) My Paulser-

5 Places I Lived...
Charlotte, MI
San Diego, CA
Clarion , PA
Chicago (Villa Park), IL
Sarasota, FL

5 Jobs I've Had...
Pizza Hut Delivery (20 yrs. ago)
Rental Dept. at Ski Resort (stinky!)
Waitress at Outback
Restaurant Mgr. (Nick's on The Water Italian Rest.)
Office Mgr. for an ATM Co.

Overcoming Your Fear is Essential to Fulfilling God's Destiny for Your Life!

2008-07-01T12:11:00.006-04:00

Okay so I'm going through something! ... At church on sunday I had an "awakening" if you will.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN FEAR!

In some way, however, small and secret, each of us is a little mad...Everyone is lonely at the bottom and cries to be understood; but we can never entirely understand someone else, and each of us remains part stranger even to those who love us...It is the weak who are cruel; gentleness is to expected only from the strong...Those who do not know fear are not only brave, for courage is the capacity to confront what can be imagined...You can understand people better if you look at them- no matter how old or impressive they may be- as if they are children. For most of us never mature; we simply grow taller...Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable...The purpose of life is to matter- to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all.

I don't think I've been doing that! I've been living in fear- The little voice inside says- "Why would anyone want to listen to an un-educated, married as a teen, little over weight, women?" -"What Have you done that has been so great?"

I guess we all have a story...we all have flaws... weaknesses...the little voice!- FEAR

So I will not let fear rule my life anymore. I will see it as a warning, like lights on a dashboard of your car, and do something to change!

Like my pastor reminded me:

I'm Out of Options= "You're a Liar"

Take Me or Leave Me= "Coward"

This is Just What Life Dealt Me= " You're a Fool"

So today I will begin to get out of this fear, I've seen the warnings- If I lose it's because I decided to lose!

My Baby Boy is Growing Up!

2008-06-23T12:44:00.008-04:00

Hayden at 10 mos. "My Little Handsome Man"

Mowing the Lawn!
Workin w/ Dad-

As Tall As Grandma Now!

Where has the time gone?
Hayden has really grown up this year. He finished 6th grade and changed into a young man. He has been working with Paul on Tuesday's and Wednesday's and doing an awesome job. We thought he was just looking to escape "summer" boredom when he asked to work with Dad, but he has proved us wrong. He is a hard worker! Gets right in there wanting to learn and do everything. He's babysat for the neighbors (2) kids, and the parents couldn't thank us enough for there new ,fun and reliable babysitter.
Hayden left for his Middle School Mission Trip yesterday- they are in Orlando; painting a house, sorting out bedding for the homeless, and making peanut butter and jelly's for a soup kitchen.
Hayden has so many gifts from God! He is a very loving person, hard working, humorous, intelligent, outgoing, strong & musical- (he now plays piano, saxophone, flute, drums, basoon, and trombone) Piano is his favorite.
He's been going to the gym and working out with us- he wants a "six pack" - he and I laugh so much at the gym- at our faces as we lift the weights. I finally beat him in a swimming race. (25 freestyle!)
He is taking Acting Classes this summer too- so we'll see where that takes him! He loves being infront of the camera...
If you would have asked me what my son would be like 13 years ago I would not have described anyone like Hayden- he is like no one else and we have been truly blessed with someone with talents and skills that neither Paul or I have!
He is an Original!

I Love My Hayden-

IRONMAN JAPAN! Someone in my family?

2008-06-21T20:16:00.013-04:00

Bree Biking Japan Ironman!

Bree at St. Anthony's
Bree arriving at Tampa airport!
The cake I made her for her St. Croix race

I cannot begin to express the way I feel! I am so proud of my niece Bree. She is an awesome athlete! Where did it come from??? Our family? Seriously though- she has been given an unbelievable gift from God- and she's taken that gift and perfected it! Our family is so proud of ALL the person she is and Wee are cheering her on today as she does Ironman Japan! She is going to win...I can feel it! Go Bree Go- We love you and are cheering you on! As of 8:20 p.m. (eastern time) saturday time she is currently in 1st! We will continue to watch the computer for updates and keep her in our prayers! If you are reading this please say a prayer for her! Wish her the best- Send your love all the way to Japan- she may just need it at this very moment!

Biggest Pancake Ever!

2008-06-17T18:19:00.003-04:00

So I'm really not a pancake person! I'll make them for the family now and again because they're easy to make, but really I can do with out....UNTIL....THE COUNTRY PANCAKE HOUSE arrived. They are awesome, over 90 different variety's. They are heavenly . Homemade batter that tastes so good you don't even need syrup! My favorite so far are the Oatmeal w/ Banana, Chocolate & Strawberry. I had to post this picture of Hayden with his order because the size is unbelievable. Wish you all could have a taste-

2008-06-14T22:33:00.005-04:00

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

_____________________________________

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!

I would like to thank my husband Paul for being a truly awesome Dad! It's funny because he didn't have the greatest role model and yet he's done all he could to be a great father! You have succeeded honey. You love like all children should be loved, You encourage like all children should be encouraged, You give of yourself as all children deserve, You are what God had in mind when he created Fathers!

Thankyou! We are Blessed...

New Addition: "Ridge Christian Weidner"

2008-06-10T14:28:00.005-04:00

Here is our new addition to the family. My niece Bron had her son Ridge at 8:05 a.m today 6-10-08. He weighed 8lbs 5oz./ 21 inches long! He is adorable!

CONGRATULATIONS Bron & Cory!

Welcome to the world Ridge! We love you!

Snorkeling...

2008-06-09T15:02:00.009-04:00

Point of Rocks- on Siesta Key

This is where the road ends at Caspersen Beach, the most natural and remote beach in this part of the state. The shoreline is dominated by native foliage. A very quiet beach. This is a very beautiful place and since there are no lights along the shore at night it is a place where many sea turtles nest successfully.

So the Richau's are back at it again. Paul and I have always loved to snorkle, Paul would rather scuba dive but I am not yet certified. Not for long though. The kids and I are going to get certified so we can accompany Daddy under the Sea!

When Paul and I were highschool we went snorkeling every weekend. It has always been special to us as it was pretty much are first dates. When the Aubrey was old enough to swim (4) we would all go and Hayden would float along in his Baby Float or boat. Aubrey goes all the time now with friends and Hayden just spent $200.00 of his own earned money on new equipment. He is a natural! It's great to see my kids inspiring their friends to go and introducing them to something they have never done

This past weekend that is all we did! We went twice on saturday out to Point of Rocks on Siesta Key. This spot used to be our favorite, but it is being ruined by construction. Typical Sarasota person feels the need to build a 20,000 sq ft. house that he will maybe sleep 30 nights a year in. ( I won't even get started) AnyWHOOOOOOOOO we went for a few hours saturday morning and then again at sunset and dark. The snorkeling in the dark was pretty neat- a lot of bait fish! Millions...we were in the middle of a wall of fish- one even jumped in my ear! Sunday afternoon we headed down to Caspersan Beach in Venice. This is a great location. Very natural and un-touched. Tons of fish, sea urchins and crabs.

This weekend was perfect. So relaxing and peaceful. There's nothing like pretending to be a fish for a day! It will make all your worries GO AWAY!

Beach Baptism " The Whole Family"

2008-06-02T11:06:00.005-04:00

One of the best statements about Christianity I've ever heard was made by a female evangelist I greatly respect: " Christianity is not a religion like most people think. Christianity is a life of imitating Jesus." Thelma Wells

Sunday June 1st, 2008 was an awesome day! The Richau family of four was baptised at Lido Beach by Pastor Bill Hild and Pastor Mark Gibbens. The day was awesome from the start- Pastor delivered an awesome message at church Sunday morning which only confirmed more my wanting to be baptised.

Normally in Sarasota we don't get big waves unless the weather is stormy. Not today though- big, fun waves were there at our baptism. ( Felt like the east coast or Hawaii) God wanted to make sure it was done right so we were "dunked" over and over again! A joyous, loving occasion- with a lot of laughs! (The way we like it)

I have lived most of my adult life as a Christian and had yet to be baptised- for silly reasons. I put it off mostly for fear. Fear of being "in front of Godly people and them thinking I was not good enough" Fear of ... I really don't know? All those fears were so silly- I know the devil had planted them in my mind so as to keep me from moving forward. Now that it is done it feels so complete. All the reasons I had for putting it off have left my mind. (Washed away I suppose)

I am so glad I was able to be baptised with my husband, daughter and son- the greatest gift!

After the baptism we stayed and played in the waves, it was so much fun. We watched the sun set and I have to say it was the prettiest I'd ever seen. (Just upset I had locked the camera in the car so I couldn't capture it.)

Thank You Jesus for a Beautiful Day!

Sweet Sixteen

2008-05-29T07:48:00.029-04:00

Oh to be 16 again! Paul and I always say- "God if we only had our 38 year old brain when we were 16" Can you imagine all you could have accomplished? All you could avoid? Yet on the other hand I guess that is not what a 16 year old is supposed to be! To be sixteen is to see the world as a big playground, where things come pretty easy, not many worries, your whole future ahead of you, and so much time to do it all! It's about feeling cool at times, playing your music loud, your 1st taste of freedom! "Driving!" Showing off, feeling pretty, laughing, learning, growing and becoming who you are. You begin to know some of your strengths and weaknesses, what kind of friends you want, your style, and at the same time still feel so young and insignificant!
Well we now have a beautiful 16 year old! Aubrey turned 16 on Sunday May 25th . We hosted a big bash and it was a success! About 25 kids and 10 adults. They swam, used the canoe and rafts in the lake behind our house, they went on our "homemade" slip and slide. It was a wonderful party with a lot of laughs and fun. A melting pot of new friends, old friends and family! I wanted it to be a party to celebrate her last taste of childhood and I think I was successful!
Aubrey has grown into a beautiful young woman with a beautiful heart. God has blessed me over and over for each day I have been her mom. My hopes for her future are that she is first and foremost happy! Happy from the depths of her soul. I pray she will always be healthy, that she will be fulfilled in her adult career, she will have passion, never lose her sense of humor (hopefully get a lot more), that she will find her hidden talents, she will treasure tiny miracles, that she will always have an adventurous side, she will always believe in herself, that she will love and be loved, love and be loved some more...I want all God has in-store for her and for her to always follow his path.
I love you Aubrey and am so proud to me your mom.

Muddy Buddy 2008!

2008-05-28T09:21:00.007-04:00

Before The Mud! After The Mud!

My Muddy Husband- Paul & Me!

So we did "Muddy Buddy" again this year! It was fun! Exhausting...Hot and Muggy!

Thank God Paul knows me so well...he let me do most of the biking so I could stay up with him- (well sortof! ) One person must bike and one must run the 6.2 mile course. You can alternate throughout at anytime. You go through swamps- lots of mud- high weeds- ditches- You have to carry eachother piggy back- a tire obstacle- a belly crawl through a mud pit- down a slip and slide... It's a blast, I especially enjoyed dressing for it! Play clothes! Makes you feel like a little kid. It's great cuz it's one of those races that if you are the winner- you didn't have any fun or laughs! We definitely were not the winners- and we had a lot of laughs!

Another Week! Where is the time going?

2008-05-23T08:58:00.003-04:00

So where have I been? What have I been doing?

*Last saturday we went to see "Made of Honor" it was really cute. Paul, Hayden and I went for pizza first and then next door to Hollywood 20.

* Sunday we went to church, the kids both performed in the Youth Band! It was awesome- so proud of the young people they are becoming.

*Monday- I can hardly rememeber monday! Was I even here? (I'm losin it!) I rememeber Aubrey and I took Hayden to piano lessons at 7:00 p.m. and we stopped to visit Ericka. Chit chatted with Bron and her.

* Tuesday- Worked...Hayden had his MMS Spring Band Concert on Tuesday Night. He did great as usual!

*Wednesday- Worked with Paul! It is hot and muggy...then did taxi service for the kiddos to Youth Group.

*Thursday- Okay I'm remembering more...I worked in the office, did laundry, found a pre-calc tutor for Aubrey, painted Aubrey's bathroom, we're re-decorating it for her final highschool years. Went to Bed Bath and Beyond- new items for new bath! Beach Bazzaar on Siesta to buy starfish. (Part of the new decor!) Planned in my mind all things to do for her party on Sunday! Sweet 16! I cannot believe it. I can remember everything about the day she was born. I can smell her newborn smell and can rememeber looking in her little newborn eyes. My God it seems like yesterday! So anyhow we went to bed and I could not sleep. Not a normal problem for me- so I tossed and turned- planned all I need to do for the party- gift etc. Finally got up- turned on the T.V. ate an orange and a miracle happened! Ha! Planet of the Apes was just starting at 1:50 a.m. I love Planet of the Apes- as corny as it may sound it brings back great memories for me as a child. It is the last show I can remember watching when my parents were still married and living together. (I was in 1st grade!) Then in Middle School our auditorium would play it during lunch so we could watch it instead of being in the lunch room. That was some great times, it was like going to the movies everyday with friends. So anyhow I could only watch 1 hour of it and told myself to go back to bed. (I taped it though)

*Friday- Difficult waking up. Not used to those late nights. Now here I set getting preparred for my errand day. Order cake- shopping- cleaning- all preparation for my baby girls 16th birthday. I want it to be perfect. I remember my 16th birthday- I was approaching the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's death- it was a sad time. The future I had invisioned- was washed away. I was still lost. I was angry, lonely, feeling sorry for myself. My dad had promised me a car! He was gone now! No car and worse no dad...I felt upside down- my life as I had always know had changed. I was different. I wonder what my day would have been like if he had not been killed? ANYWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY...Aubrey, it is her day...The day she has been counting down...........and We plan to make it special. I am so happy God has given me her and I am so happy that Paul and I have always tried to make her life as special as possible. You only have 1. She will only turn 16 once! God Keep Your Blessings on her- she Loves You!

TGIF

2008-05-16T16:40:00.002-04:00

This week has zoomed by! We started lifting weights at the Y this week and I'm feelin strong! I'm really liking it. I have such a staring problem at the gym though. I can't help it. (Poor Paul- he has a nosey wife) Not in a critical way , but I just notice everyone. I watch their techniques- I love the little old men! They are adorable. Givin it their all... Talking about there hip replacements / bum knees, etc... but still trying to stay in shape and keep living. They inspire me!
It is a scorcher out so after work we're heading to the beach for an ocean swim. Haven't ocean swam since St. Anthony's...so it's about time.
Have a great weekend!

Is Mother's Day Over? I Love Being A Mother...

2008-05-13T10:25:00.004-04:00

Everyday is Mother's Day! Mine started out with my awesome husband trying to celebrate it on the saturday before...why not a weekend celebration he said! We had watched the Travel Channel and saw the top 10 beaches in Florida. So we went on a crazy adventure to Sanibel Island on saturday (Sanibel was #8 on the list). Not sure what the attraction to that place is? I guess if I lived in a dark, cold hole in the middle of nowhere I may have enjoyed it. $6.00 to get over the bridge to an island covered with houses that no one lives in- and $2.00 a 1/2 hour to park and look at beach that isn't half as nice as ours in Sarasota. It was pretty but not worth the 3 hour drive - actually pretty boring place. We laughed and had nice conversation to make the best of it. So we then tried to make it to the Land of the Living...Fort Myers for lunch. Tried a new place- it was lousy too- So at this point just Laugh! 8 hours later we are on our way home- hungry... and tired of car riding. The kids arguing in the back and my mom trying to seperate them kept it real! Finally home...kid's went Long Boarding (skateboarding) ... w/ Aubrey's friend...she drives... I was told they were going to differnent location than I found out they were at... The Ringling Bridge- big high bridge... my children skateboarded down it with no pads or helmets- Hayden and " the friend" fell... Finally home to show us the damage- I was p---ed to say the least. They were very lucky! God was watching over them- "Thanks God" 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning Hayden wakes me up crying by the side of my bed. He was in severe pain from his fall. I doctored him, kissed him, loved him and yelled at him and Aubrey for the pour decision they had made.

Sunday- Mother's Day... Off to church- Thanks again God- The service was beatiful. Then off to lunch with Bron, Cory, Reagan and my mom. Another Car Ride- They all wanted P.F. Changs. So off to Tampa-

It went well great food, fun laughs, fussy baby, bossy waitress...Life! Then off to Krispy Kream Donuts for a dessert- they were out of the one I like... (Go figure) Haven't had one in a year decide to on Mother's Day- nope! But.....the really nice lady went to the back (for a long time) (thought she went home) and surprised me with one! Thank's Lady! Ironically- Krispy Kreme inside was a very fun time! We had a blast! Went home- napped...aah needed that after all my car riding... spent the evening with my children and husband...Life! Life is Good! My Mother's Day weekend was the true Motherhood Weekend! A smorgsasboard if- you -will -of all motherhood holds: Family time/ Togetherness, Laughter, Disappointment, Fatigue, Frustration, Relief, Joy, Thankfulness, Understanding, Forgiveness, Small Blessings, Big Blessings, Smiles, Frowns, Appreciation, Hungry Belly's, Full Belly's , Pain. Nurturing, Excitement, Boredom and I saved the best for last...Love! Unconditional True , Pure Love! Thanks family - I love you!

Ask Yourself Whether You Are Happy and you Cease To Be So

2008-05-09T15:07:00.001-04:00

I've noticed that in the last months of us being bombarded with Political Combat, and Economic Shambles that it's really hard to be happy. I always try to stay happy... see the best in every situation. Go with the flow.............. but the world's tone seems to be one of distraught hopelessness. So I asked myself, "What has changed personally in my life?" Really nothing! We don't make as much money as we used too... but in everyting else it's the same. God is faithful, My family is healthy, my marriage is great, my children are growing more beautiful everyday and I have awesome friends and family. So I have decided to turn off the radio (talk radio is my downfall) and go back to La La Land. That is where I am happy! I cannot change the world- I cannot change the economy- I cannot choose the next President- I can't change everyone's negative attitudes- I can only change me... So I am going back to being simple. If I can't talk politics, "Big Deal" - If my mortgage is a few days late- "Big Deal"- If I miss a day of exercise to play with my kids- "Big Deal"- If the floors don't get mopped today- "Big Deal" I am going to live like I used to. Day By Day...Adventure By Adventure... Happily Ever After!

Want To Be Liked? Lift People's Spirits!

2008-05-02T23:14:00.000-04:00

Seem's like everyone is wanting to bring everyone down lately! I know I am sometimes guilty of it. The radio- T.V. and local papers are full of nothing but negative crap. It's so easy to get caught up in it. It can drown you. So last week I told myself to crawl out of that pool and live! Live happily- I completed my first Olympic Distance Tri. (St. Anthony's) Paul, Aubrey my niece Bree and Brooke were in it too. That was an experience I will never forget. Granted I may have been the slowest but I ran in their footsteps and it was incredible! I learned so much in the course of my training. Bree I will never be able to thank enough for my training schedule. My family was a huge ball of encouragement and I love them even more for that. They believed in me when I had doubts.
Lift people's spirit. Give them a little extra inspiration. Help build up their strength. They will like you for it. You'll have a warm place in their hearts for always.